Footwell light install - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bongoli · 09-16-2008, 01:23 AM

Hey Guys,

I have been reading through the forums and have been able to find the DIY for cold cathode bars in the footwell that is wired into the map/dome lights. However, my idea was that I wanted to have two different sets of lights in the footwells. One being the once that will turn on with the dome light. The other being ones that will turn on with the interior dashboard/radio lights. I have read that some ppl have tapped into their fuse box for the light install and it stays on all the time. But is it only when the interior dashboard/radio ligths are on, or will it be on 24/7 when the car is started. Moreover, for those who have tapped into their fuse box, if you could please give a DIY as to how and where I should be connecting into, it would be terrific. Thank you guys in advance.

-AQ

***bandit*** · 09-16-2008, 07:30 AM

The dashboard/radio lights are always on (I was referring to display and stuff). If you're talking about greenish-white light that is lit at night, you might have to tap into the headlights. Thats just my guess if you want the cathodes to light up when the radio is lit up at night.

Netforcer · 09-16-2008, 10:57 AM

for your own safety and the safety of others... I highly do not recommend that you wire the footwells to be on when the dashboard lights are on. There is a lot of glare reflected off the windows at night which will make it difficult to drive.

bongoli · 09-16-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Netforcer

for your own safety and the safety of others... I highly do not recommend that you wire the footwells to be on when the dashboard lights are on. There is a lot of glare reflected off the windows at night which will make it difficult to drive.

Well, what I was thinking was that the lights that would be on along with my dashboard lights would NOT be the cathode light bars but rather dim accent lights. Like my '04 MDX has. It has this very subtle blue color LED in the footwells that are constantly on and you only notice them when you look down. So there isn't any of that glare effect while you're driving. Do you think it will still be a bad idea? Also, any DIY is welcome. Thanks.

CamrySExxx · 09-16-2008, 09:42 PM

What i would suggest is either:

1) tap into a fuse that will give you constant power when your turn the key to ACC or ON. So it will be on and will turn off when you take the key out. So no control over keeping it on or off.

2) Do the same as #1 but pop in a switch so you can just flick a switch on at night and it will come on, and off if its too bright or you get pulled over or something. And if you forget about the lights it will still turn off when you take your key out so it wont stay on 24/7.

3) might take a bit more work and more wiring but find a power source that comes on when you turn on your dash lights? The only thing i can think of on the top of my head would be your low beam fuse (most likely a easier alternative) but ya thats just an idea. I personally would just go with #2. Thats how i have my fogs wired up on my honda so i can be uber kewl jdm and drive around with my yellow fogs and have full control over them.

Oh ya i think you might;ve posted this in my DIY thread, i seen it was replied in and bumped but i had no time to look at it since university owns my life right now

. homework+homework=more homework and less free time.

TJHammer · 02-17-2009, 08:18 AM

Guess this'll classify me as a ricer, but I am looking for a more constant-on glow in the footwells vs the brighter on or off cathode setup (which is sweet too). LED strip? Few LED's set-up? Where do you think I should head for a softer always-on white glow?

***darksparkz*** · 02-17-2009, 08:58 AM

The cathodes will be fairly easy to wire to have it come on when the doors are open, under the sill covers contians a wire that you can tap into. Or running a wire striahgt down from the dome works too.

As for an ambient running light at all times, you can tap into the shifter bulb, you can remove the shift cover fairly easily and there's a tiny light bulb that takes power and turns on only when lights are switched on. You can use a single LED bulb to light the ambient, or use a small LED strip, test whatever loooks good.

TJHammer · 02-17-2009, 10:16 AM

After looking at superbrightleds.com, I realized my spontaneous purchase of LEDs for the interior (while getting my tails smoked) turned out to be a ripoff.
The tail job was great, but i could have purcahsed my entire LED profile from superbright for what I just paid!

I assume I can link 2 sets of one of these strips
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...e/commerce.cgi
and tap into the shifter bulb-line. Going to LED that bulb anyway. I assume once I get in there its pretty self explanatory how to tap into that line?

Any suggestion on the strips? There are a few subtle differences between em.
Thanks,
TJ

TJHammer · 02-17-2009, 10:21 AM

I would actually like to wire it that way so it comes on with lights, as the shifter light does, but THROW a switch in there in case I feel like having it off at times, just as CamrySExxx suggested. If ya can, just gimme a LED strip suggestion, and point out any issue a shifter-light-line tap may bring about.
Appreciated

TJHammer · 02-17-2009, 10:44 AM

Well, here is my plan, tell me how this sounds:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...e/commerce.cgi These links arent working right, here are the item #'s
NFLS -x30
Not sure if I should get one strip of 30 warm white and split in 2 for each footwell side or get 2 - 30 count strips of the warm white

**If I split for a 15 & 15 setup, do I need a connector or just wires?

ALM-OB-x4
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...e/commerce.cgi
For the cubby (will mount it on roof of cubby hole)

74-1 Wedge Base
In white also, For the Shifter bulb

I know I have asked alot of questions, but at least I have a plan that can be critiqued or fine-tuned by you guys. Thanks again
TJ

Netforcer · 02-17-2009, 07:40 PM

LED's will not provide you with a constant glow... cathode tubes do. I also try to stay away from multiple LED bulbs, since if one LED blows, the bulb will start blinking. If you want a low ambient lighting like the TLs and TSXs, then get one hi-powered LED bulb. same for the cubby.

Dna_splice · 02-17-2009, 08:33 PM

Front

front

Rear

put the LED's in the rear middle console vents

TJHammer · 02-17-2009, 10:24 PM

That's a single bulb set-up in the front? It doesnt look like I thought a single would (ie a straight beam) it gets some decent spread coverage. This is why i was looking at a strip for evenly spread glow. If thats a single on each side in the front, what kinda power is each bulb.
Could I go with a lower voltage or power lit cathode?

Dna_splice · 02-17-2009, 11:20 PM

that is a 5 LED pod
i used a fuse tap and speaker wire to wire it to the dome light w/ a rocker switch

TJHammer · 02-18-2009, 08:48 AM

What do you think about this then?
http://www.superbrightleds.com/mini_tubes.htm
The SBL Single LED setup on each footwell? It says it has a 160 degree beam, more than sufficient to softly light a footwell.

For wiring, could I run 2 of these, and that ALMx4 (cubby hole) on a single line with ONE SWITCH?